Principal

Reflection on Refugees

At our Staff Spirituality Day on Holy Thursday, we focused on our touchstone of Inclusivity and reflected specifically on Displacement: people in our world, students in our schools, those with disabilities and how we can respond.

We were privileged to hear from Zaki H, a refugee from Afghanistan, and heard of his journey to Australia. Ten years ago, Zaki’s father was taken by the Taliban in Afghanistan and never seen again. His brother was beheaded on his return to his village from Kabul simply because he was seeking a tertiary education. Zaki is from the Hazara ethnic group who have been persecuted for centuries because of their race, their religion, the way they look and their beliefs. Zaki (then 17) was then threatened and forced to flee. ‘The boat was overloaded … There were two things in my mind. The first thing was, “I’m not seeing my family again, I’m dying here.” And the second thought was, “How will I sink and how will I die?”. His message to us? “We are all humans”.

His temporary visa expires in September 2021 and he will be deported back to Afghanistan, facing certain death, especially now that all the US, UK and Australian forces will be leaving the country too. Thousands of people who are living in Australia are having the same experience. It's awful even to think that way but it's a fact. It's going through my mind every day.

Under the current policy, refugees who came by boat will likely never receive a permanent visa. Instead, they face a process of re-applying for temporary visas again and again and again - every three or five years. They also must live with the knowledge that they are not permitted to have their families join them here in safety whilst on temporary visas. This is only because they arrived here seeking asylum by boat - and not by plane.

Welcome, protect, promote, integrate. Under Pope Francis these four verbs have become the rubric shaping pastoral, ethical and political recommendations for responses to migrations globally that faithfully witness to Christian discipleship and respect the human dignity of peoples on the move.

The vulnerability of migrants such as Zaki, and the responsibility of receiving nations to tend to them, are privileged in Francis' most recent encyclical, Fratelli Tutti. Altogether, migrants and their plight are mentioned over 30 times throughout the document, equal in concern only to the poor. While the letter is officially dedicated to "fraternity and social friendship," Francis proposes that welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating migrants are key markers of truly human fraternity and friendship. Because of this, the document could also be considered a treatise on welcoming the stranger, a map for nations and societies to better understand how to respond to this most critical sign of the times. Francis' articulation of this phrase — welcome, protect, promote, integrate — is not new in the social teaching of the church, but follows over 100 years of the church's dedication to the special concern for the welfare of migrants and refugees.

What can we do as members of St Patrick’s to support Zaki and those just like him? There are three things we can do.

1. Donate to Vinnies NSW's Protection Appeal so that we can provide vital financial support and accommodation to people seeking protection who are at risk of becoming homeless.  Donate here .
    
2. Show that you stand with people seeking protection by displaying stickers and posters and speaking to people in our local community. Download these A3 posters here or contact social.justice@vinnies.org.au  to order your stickers and posters.
    
3. Write to your Federal Member Of Parliament (MP) to ask the Federal Government to show compassion and uphold the human rights of those who seek protection. The St Vincent de Paul Society has recently spoken out about the cruel cuts to income support leaving people seeking asylum in our community destitute (read more here). For more information and/or a template letter please contact social.justice@vinnies.org.au .

We pray:

Almighty and merciful God,

whose Son became a refugee

and had no place to call his own;

look with mercy on those who today

are fleeing from danger,

homeless and hungry.

Bless those who work to bring them relief;

inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts;

and guide the nations of the world towards that day

when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Plant and Facilities

During the school vacation break, the gymnasium roof has been repaired and the lighting enhanced. We now await the test of inclement winter weather to see if all the issues have been addressed. Also, we have a new and faster internet connection. We thank the ICT Team for their work in this happening so seamlessly. The boys will no doubt see a vast improvement in the Wi-Fi speed.

NAPLAN

Parents and carers, please find attached the NAPLAN Information on Paper Brochure for your reference.

In Memorium

We keep Julian (Year 7) and Luca (Year 8) Giannini, cousins Joseph (Year 8) and Massimo (Year 6) Cammareri and Old Boys Andrew (2007), Adrian (2012) and Daniel Caltabiano (2014) and their families in our prayers. They recently lost their beloved aunt, Caterina “Rina” Furia who was only 58 years old, after a battle with illness.  

Oliver Quinn’s (Year 8) grandmother, Lyn Quinn sadly passed away over the holidays too. We pray time will heal and lighten the pain they feel.

We also keep Lucas (Year 6) and Matthew Burnicle (Year 8) in our prayers on the recent loss of their great Grandfather, Brian (Sam) Hogan. 

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. 

May they rest in peace. 

Amen.

Dr Vittoria Lavorato

Principal

SPC boys can do anything! *

*except divide by zero